Planetread

PlanetRead has been working tirelessly for years to share the evidence that same-language subtitling really makes an impact on reading ability and to raise awareness of the need to add SLS to all media content in all languages. More and more people know about their work, and

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Community Stories

88 Stories from Volunteers, Donors & Supporters

PlanetRead has been working tirelessly for years to share the evidence that same-language subtitling really makes an impact on reading ability and to raise awareness of the need to add SLS to all media content in all languages. More and more people know about their work, and I hope that the word continues to spread. Thanks for your simple, scalable literacy efforts, PlanetRead!

I've worked with PlanetRead as a volunteer for almost over a year now. All the team members, with utmost professionalism, have proactively guided different projects that I've been involved in. I'm sure to continue volunteering with PlanetRead in varying capacities moving forward, and remain associated with the great work that they've been doing in the field of education!

This is a very cost effective program and can be used in India and all over the world for literacy development. The simplicity of using film songs that are watched by millions of people every day ... is a great way to help people improve their reading skills.

Since many years I have been working for BookBox, which is an off-shoot of PlanetRead. I have been helping them translate and record some stories into French. I am happy to do it free of cost but not free of joy! This project helps people feel part of the greater picture of reading and literacy development around the world. The stories are interesting, sensitive, instructive and fun. The illustrations are charming, and give a boost to the joy of learning.
I wish all the PlanetRead team the most wonderful future, and thank them for the great work they are doing. Cristof Alward. Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry.

I have worked with PlanetRead for a year in a volunteer capacity. I've gotten to learn a lot about the organization and some of its key team members, and have always been extremely impressed by their passion and professionalism- which combined set the stage for much success. I will continue working with this organization as I know they are focused on a great cause and achieving great results, and would encourage others to do the same!

How?
Right education brings in knowledge, awareness, confidence, better exposure and reasoning power, and much more to an individual, which in turn reflects on the society by bringing in sustainability; diminishing social, communal, and gender bias; raising living standards; boosting cleanliness, health, and hygiene; and contributing to its overall progress.

In India, there are millions of adults belonging to the lower strata of society, who can’t even read—or, maybe, can barely do that thanks to National Literacy Mission’s effort. They need to be made literate first. How can anybody make about 300 million+ people literate and more importantly give them regular reading practice that they stay literate?
India has the largest film industry in the world, Bollywood. The richest to the poorest in India likes Bollywood songs (avg. 5 songs/film). TV channels broadcast film songs. Almost all have access to TV sets. Put subtitles in the same language as the song and people will read, subconsciously, that they can learn the lyrics and enjoy the song better. Product: Entertainment, a new song learnt. Byproduct: Literacy! Does that sound like a viable solution?

Of course it does! Awesomely simple and extremely frugal and effective! Well, the only better alternative I can think might be a device that can manipulate people’s brains and mass transmit knowledge directly into them; a variant of the one they use in the film, MIB…one that instills rather than erases knowledge perhaps!

But, who’s behind this idea of subtitling?
PlanetRead; they have been doing it for years now. That’s why I support them.

I have been working as a volunteer in 2012. It was a positive and lovely experience. All the team loves Planet Read concept and works hardly to develop tools and videos.
Reading is an essential life skill. Thanks to Planet Read, learning how to read become easier, simple and funny. Reading is like a game. So, let' play ;-)

Previous Stories

PlanetRead contributes in giving the love of reading, which is unvaluable. Its original method is simple, powerful and it helps spreading literacy. Learning and reading can be fun thanks to Planet Read.

What better way to practice reading skills than singing along with your favourite song with lyrics that appear and get highlighted in perfect sync with the songs? PlanetRead's simple idea of Same Language Subtitling which started with television, is now poised to grow manifold with the rising popularity of internet-enabled smartphones. This idea will spread across all countries and promote literacy in a fun way on a shoestring budget and is truly worthy of being supported.

I have been watching the Rangoli program on India's national television channel for several years now and the entire experience of watching the show is enhanced by the same language subtitles that change colour exactly in sync with the audio. This initiative by PlanetRead and the entire concept of SLS is among the most innovative and simple ways of using mass media to bring about meaningful social change by educating the early Indian literates by providing them reading practice. In terms of per capita investment, it seems like one of the cheapest ways of promoting literacy and is an idea that should be implemented in many more countries.

PlanetRead is a Nonprofit organisation with a unique process for a great project and aim. Their motto says it all - "Literacy for a Billion". The idea of SLS (Same Language Subtitling) to educate is so SIMPLE, and so unique. Songs are popular worldwide - be they movie songs, Music videos, Anthems, Childhood rhymes, Poems, etc and the fact that they are now being used to 'literate' large numbers of illiterate populace is indeed highly commendable. Their numerous recognitions are ample proof of the greatness of this simple idea, and Team PlanetRead deserves a pat on their back for this initiative.

Ideas that are simple and innovative can create a great impact - PlanetRead has proved just that. With the simple idea of subtitling Bollywood songs telecast on national TV, Brij Kothari and his Team are paving way for the weak readers to become functional readers. I am sure this will have a direct impact in the literacy levels of our country, very soon.

I think Planetread's work excels both in content and quality. Their daughter organization BookBox has great potential in e Learning. Their stories are excellent and the quality devoted to the work is of a very high standard. I know some people who have actually been inspired to learn a new language watching BookBox stories. BookBox's potential is immense in this new era of online learning.

PlanetRead is really making the Planet read. The organization is striving hard to make its name come true by the innovative and fun-filled idea of Same Language Subtitling (SLS) to popular bollywood songs which will reach the people's minds rapidly faster all over the world and unknowingly making them to read the newspaper of their language. This idea of SLS to make people read which in spite increases the rate of literacy is something very new and different concept. It is really working out and all sorts of people like early literates, alliterates, illiterates finding it beneficial throughout the country.

The most amazing thing attracted me a lot in this concept is that it paves a way for the people to read and learn other languages too by providing along with the translation and transliteration of the particular language instead of restricting them only to their own language which is very helpful and a fantastic thought.

I am very proud and thankful to Brij Kothari, the founder of PlanetRead, and the team for giving us this awesome concept for a social cause!

An unbelievable concept, a small tool, and a few, very few good peoples can make this entire planet different, where everybody can read.
Truly speaking, when i joined this Organization, I was not very sure that this concept can work. But within a year when I see a girl who never gone to school nor read a book is reading a news paper my concept got changed.
Best of luck PlanetRead

I came to know about the initiatives being taken by Book Box, which is part of PlanetRead, and was stunned completely. Today, most of us think that just to put one's signature assures that one is a literate; however, actually literacy has nothing to do with one's signature. Increasing literacy rate in a country like India could be a daunting task, but thanks to Book Box, who are doing a great job with their well-balanced team and have made this arduous task rather easy. To even think of such an idea is truly appreciative and the team completely tries to give in their best shot by applying their thoughts into actions. Education and fun go hand-in-hand here and this is all due to PlanetRead/Book Box's efforts. I hope they succeed in making our country "the highest literates in the world" country soon. Wishing all the best for their future endeavours.

It is truly tragic that so many people around the world cannot experience so many things in life because they cannot read or write. It’s also tragic that many people who do take that for granted. The work of PlanetRead is admirable in every way possible and I wish them the best of luck in all their future projects!

As a volunteer translator and narrator for BookBox, one of PlanetRead’s many activities, I feel great satisfaction in taking part of what is a great movement to increase literacy worldwide! The BookBox team is very dedicated to their work and very flexible with their volunteers, and it is a pleasure to aide them in their mission, while enjoying what I do, because let’s face it, children stories are always fun to play around with!

If you ever have the chance to volunteer for BookBox or any other PlanetRead project, you should not only think of their hard work and noble mission, but also of all the unfortunate illiterate people who could benefit from your work, and go for it!

I have worked with Planet Read as a Translator for articles on various subjects and also educational videos for children. It has been a great learning experience. Working with the team at Planet Read has been very cordial and enriching as the team is always willing to extend their help and are also open to new suggestions. Thanks Planet Read !

As a graphics production consultant to Bookbox/Planetread and having shown the SLS video stories to many people i must say that it has been the most successful and naturally quick method to become literate. The co-founder and team are one of the best i have worked with.